There's a reason so many people aspire to own a BMW 5 Series, and this car won't disappoint. Handling is taut and agile, though the sedan has evolved to focus on luxury and refinement rather than overtly sporty driving. Its steering has lost some of the feel we've come to associate with previous 5 Series. The ride is comfortable and steady and the cabin is quiet. Its turbocharged engines are smooth and powerful, whether you opt for the four-cylinder in the 528i or the effortless six-cylinder unit in the 535i we tested. These engines are all super smooth, responsive and fuel-efficient. The eight-speed automatic shifts imperceptibly. Hybrid, diesel, and super-high horsepower M versions are available. All-wheel-drive is optional.
The interior is understated, luxurious and beautifully finished. The seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat room is decent, though not exactly generous. High-tech controls take some getting used to, with a center dial that operates many functions and is monitored through a central screen. However, once mastered, the logic becomes clear.
The 5 Series comes with a choice of five engines and two drivetrains, rear- or all-wheel drive, all with a slick eight-speed automatic transmission. Engine choices start with the 240-hp four-cylinder in the 528i, which is smooth and powerful enough, though it can clatter like a diesel at idle. We tested the 300-hp turbocharged gasoline in-line six-cylinder in the 535i xDrive, which feels punchy and effortless. A 255-hp six-cylinder turbodiesel is also available in the 535d, along with a potent 445-hp turbocharged V8 in the 550i. All these models are available with BMWs xDrive all-wheel drive system. The last powertrain is a hybrid that uses the gasoline-six cylinder from the 535i. Called the ActiveHybrid 5, it is pretty smooth, but only available in rear wheel drive. And its EPA fuel economy estimate can't match the 535d's. The mighty M5 uses a 550 hp V8 to with a seven-speed sequential gearbox.